Coco Gauff takes her ‘no excuses’ comment after a humiliating loss to Ekaterina Alexandrova seriously by ending her top-10 win draught against Jessica Pegula in Eastbourne

Coco Gauff's resilient triumph in Eastbourne sets the stage for 2023 Wimbledon.

Coco Gauff takes her ‘no excuses’ comment after a humiliating loss to Ekaterina Alexandrova seriously by ending her top-10 win draught against Jessica Pegula in Eastbourne

Ekaterina Alexandrova and Coco Gauff (Image via: WTA)

At the 2023 Eastbourne International, Coco Gauff defeated Jessica Pegula with ease, winning 6-3, 6-3. As expected, the victory gave her confidence and Wimbledon’s ambitions a significant boost. That’s not all; this incredible feat highlighted Gauff’s comeback on the tennis circuit, marking not only her first top 10 victories since August but also her first top 5 victories since February 2022.

Gauff made a wise strategic choice to compete in the Eastbourne tournament after her disappointing early exit from Berlin. In order to prepare for the prestigious 2023 Wimbledon Championships, Gauff was eager to practice some matches on grass. 

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She understood the value of gaining momentum and returning to her winning ways. She had been struggling to stay consistent in recent weeks; aside from a modest showing at Roland Garros, she had been unable to claim consecutive victories.

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Moreover, the young tennis prodigy humbly acknowledged the difficulties she faced in Berlin, especially in her first grass tournament of the season. Even the most experienced players may find it difficult to adapt to the special features of grass courts. Gauff acknowledged that the difficulty she faced against Alexandrova, who arrived in Berlin just after winning a grass-court title, was a result of her insufficient preparation on the grass before the match.

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Gauff overcomes Berlin’s disappointment to secure an impressive win

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Image via: Tennis Majors)

Gauff said, looking back on her defeat in Berlin, “Yeah, I mean, that defeat, I mean, I learned from it. Even though the final score was not great, I did not have high hopes for the grass, particularly the first grass tournament.“

Gauff displays her strong character by refusing to let one setback determine how her grass season will go. Determined to stay focused and positive, she firmly states, “Yeah, but no excuses. I mean, she played great. But I think that’s the mentality I have to have to go into the rest of the grass season, not letting one win dictate how the rest of the season will go.”

Gauff demonstrated in Eastbourne that she can rise above setbacks and that she is prepared to leave her mark on the grass courts with a triumphant performance. With that being said, there is no denying the fact that her perseverance, talent, and dedication will undoubtedly play a major role in her quest for success at the highest level of the sport as she continues on her journey.

Gauff’s impressive victory in Eastbourne sent a loud and clear message to her rivals that she is ready to overcome any challenges and will not accept any defeat. 

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